Pulling the Plug

“This one so completely sucked toads, I was ashamed even to be seen burning it.” – Jane Austen, speaking of the manuscript for her never-published book, Pride and Sensibility. (as far as you know.)

We all come to that pass, where nothing works to save an aspiring book. We hate to let them go. We try everything we can think of—change the plot lines, switch narrative perspectives, add sparkly vampire characters. Sadly, it just doesn’t measure up. You’ve poured your heart and soul and many hours of mouse-breaking labor into it, but it eventually becomes clear this one just won’t make it.

We hate when it happens. We blame ourselves. We tell ourselves a better writer could have saved it. Forgive yourself. Say a few words over it and move on.

Laurie Boris wrote the best eulogy for a manuscript I’ve ever seen. Click on over and pay your respects to the dearly departed. Then come back over here and take our poll.

Have you ever found yourself giving up on a manuscript?

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Week 27 Flash Fiction Challenge Poll

The time has arrived for IU readers to begin voting in this week’s Flash Fiction Competition.

On behalf of the IU staff, I want to thank all the entrants for doing such a great job with the writing prompt and the merciless constraints of the exercise.

You may review the entries here. Please spread the word and encourage your friends to vote by using the share buttons at the bottom of the post!

The poll will be open until 5:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) Thursday

Choose your favorite entry from the week 27 flash fiction challenge:

  • Dick Waters (54%, 13 Votes)
  • R E Sheahan (13%, 3 Votes)
  • Brian Beam (8%, 2 Votes)
  • RG Bud Phelps (8%, 2 Votes)
  • Patricia Lapidus (4%, 1 Votes)
  • Paula Friedman (4%, 1 Votes)
  • Michael Boggia (4%, 1 Votes)
  • A. L. Kaplan (4%, 1 Votes)

Total Voters: 24

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Week 26 Flash Fiction Challenge Poll

The time has arrived for IU readers to begin voting in this week’s Flash Fiction Competition.

On behalf of the IU staff, I want to thank all the entrants for doing such a great job with the writing prompt and the merciless constraints of the exercise.

You may review the entries here. Please spread the word and encourage your friends to vote by using the share buttons at the bottom of the post!

The poll will be open until 5:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) Thursday

Choose your favorite entry from the week 26 flash fiction challenge:

  • Brian Beam (29%, 10 Votes)
  • Laurie Boris (26%, 9 Votes)
  • Cynthia Rogan (18%, 6 Votes)
  • Erik Hanberg (12%, 4 Votes)
  • Kristina Jackson (6%, 2 Votes)
  • R E Sheahan (6%, 2 Votes)
  • E. L. Dawson (3%, 1 Votes)
  • Rosalind Smih-Nazilli (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 34

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Week 25 Flash Fiction Challenge Poll

The time has arrived for IU readers to begin voting in this week’s Flash Fiction Competition. On behalf of the IU staff, I want to thank all the entrants for doing such a great job with the writing prompt and the merciless constraints of the exercise.

This week, there are 7 entries from which to choose. You may review the entries here. Please spread the word and encourage your friends to vote by using the share buttons at the bottom of the post!

The poll will be open until 5:00 PM (Pacific Daylight Time) Thursday

Which was your favorite entry from this week's flash fiction competition?

  • 7. Ed Drury (46%, 13 Votes)
  • 2. Brian Beam (18%, 5 Votes)
  • 5. Jaq D Hawkins (18%, 5 Votes)
  • 3. Rich Meyer (7%, 2 Votes)
  • 4. Rosanne Dingli (7%, 2 Votes)
  • 1. Diane Stephenson (4%, 1 Votes)
  • 6. Mike Boggia (0%, 0 Votes)

Total Voters: 28

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